Getting started—onboarding guide for ad networks

For:

Ad networks

Last update: December 03, 2024 11:09

At a glance: Complete integration with AppsFlyer by setting up and testing your attribution link and postback integrations. Understand the steps, timelines, and dependencies of the process.

What is AppsFlyer?

AppsFlyer, a leader in mobile attribution, welcomes you as our ad network integrated partner. This article is for ad networks that have completed AppsFlyer partner registration. If you want to register as a partner, you must ask an AppsFlyer customer (advertiser) to invite you to do so.

Ad network onboarding

The steps required to integrate and the estimated time to complete them are listed in the Onboarding steps section of this article.

Integration means that:

AppsFlyer records your engagements (clicks and impressions). The engagements are attributed according to the AppsFlyer attribution model.
Postbacks of the format required by you are sent to your endpoints.
You can access AppsFlyer features like click signing, Protect360, Data Locker, and so on.

If you need help

Look at the partner FAQ
Consult the Integration change requests article

Consider:

Time estimates in this article are based on our experience working with ad networks. Each integration is slightly different, so the actual times can vary.
AppsFlyer supports many performance platforms. If you use one of the platforms on the list, you must review platform-specific instructions before integrating.

Onboarding steps

To integrate with AppsFlyer:

Part 1: Integration and testing

Action	Minutes required
Wait for your registration approval email inviting you to complete the mandatory integration steps.	--
Mandatory integration steps
Specify your attribution link: Attribution links are URLs with macros. These macros are populated by you with actual values and sent to AppsFlyer each time a user clicks on a link. Note! If you use a performance network platform supported by AppsFlyer, you must consider the platform-specific instructions provided. See Performance network guides.	60
Specify postback macros: Postbacks are URLs containing macros populated by AppsFlyer and sent to your servers in real-time after each conversion.	60
Log in to the AppsFlyer dashboard using the credentials provided.
Upload your company logo. Your logo must have the format 200 X 50 transparent PNG. In AppsFlyer, in the menu bar, select your email address > Partner Setup. On the Profile tab, upload your company logo. Click Save.	5
Test the integration using AppsFlyer test apps: Android iOS	10
Optional integration steps
[iOS] If your advertisers require AppsFlyer Aggregated Advanced Privacy, complete Advanced Privacy integration.	60
[iOS] If you run SKAdNetwork campaigns, complete SKAdNetwork integration.	60
Authorized agencies Create and manage a list of agencies you approve to run campaigns through your network integration. This is done by entering their agency ID (af_prt) in the Authorized agencies section of the Security center. To obtain the agency ID, the agency must contact you and provide it.	2
Optional features and considerations Consider implementing integrations and options based on advertiser requirements.
To make sure that fraudulent clicks aren't sent using your partner identifier, implement click signing.	60+
For advertisers that implement Protect360 or validation rules, add rejected attribution postbacks.	15
Send cost to AppsFlyer by API. See InCost API.	60+
Retargeting integration.	15
View-through attribution integration.	15

Part 2: Test using advertiser apps

In this part, you'll be testing your integration using an app that belongs to an advertiser. As such, you must contact the advertiser and ask them to complete some of the steps in this part. In this part, regard references to advertisers can also mean agencies if they are acting on behalf of an advertiser.

Performed by	Action	Minutes required
Advertiser	Turn on activate partner. When on, AppsFlyer considers engagements brought by you as candidates for attribution.	2
Advertisers	Grant ad network permissions* and add your team members. When on, app performance data is available in your AppsFlyer dashboard. Only listed team members can access the data.	2
Ad network	Add team members to your account.	2
Advertiser (admin)	Register your test devices. Ask the advertiser to do this on your behalf.	3
Ad networks	Test the integration using advertiser apps.	60

Part 3: AppsFlyer dashboard and reporting options

Option
Use the partner dashboard.
Get aggregated performance data via cloud storage with Data Locker for ad networks.
Get Protect360 raw data.

Integration validation period

To ensure the integrity of the AppsFlyer ecosystem and protect internal systems from invalid traffic, all new ad network integrations undergo a validation period. During this period, AppsFlyer thoroughly verifies the traffic and evaluates its quality before making the integration available to other advertisers in the Marketplace. Ad network integrations that don’t meet high-quality traffic criteria will face removal.

Validation period—FAQ

Question	Answer
Why can’t advertisers find me in the Marketplace even though I've completed the integration?	During the validation period, your integration is visible only to the advertiser who referred you. After we've validated your traffic quality, you'll receive an email letting you know that your integration is available to all advertisers.
What can I do to make sure my integration will be approved?	Deliver a significant volume of high-quality traffic for the advertiser who referred you.
When should I expect to receive the validation completion email?	After we've been able to validate enough traffic, you'll receive an email notifying you that the validation period has ended.
Can I know the current status of my validation evaluation?	You'll know only when the validation period has ended, after receiving an email notification.
What are the validation criteria based on?	Validation criteria are based on Protect360 dynamic machine learning algorithms. Factors such as traffic quality, volume, and data validity overall are considered, combined with industry best practices.
What if another advertiser wants to start working with me during my validation period?	During the validation period, your integration is visible only to the referring advertiser. Other advertisers will be able to work with you after your validation period has ended successfully.
What happens if my integration fails the validation?	The validation period may be extended to monitor for improvements in traffic quality, or your integration may be permanently removed from the AppsFlyer platform. You'll get notified in either case.
Can I replace the referring advertiser with another advertiser I work with?	You can, provided that this falls within the validation period.